Ways To Build Toddler Gross Motor Skills
Toddlers are naturally inclined to run, jump, play and kick. These Ways To Build Toddler Gross Motor Skills can easily work with the natural part of who they are (endless bundles of energy). But guiding their natural bend to achieve some desired skills is easy and still fun for them! Here are 7 basic motions toddlers should be doing and ideas on how to incorporate them into your day to get you started, keep them busy, and build those gross motor muscles!
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1. Throwing/Tossing– Be sure to have a variety of balls on hand to peak your child’s interest and keep them busy- a simple playground ball, foam football, etc.. Besides just tossing them back and forth give them some other games to play-toss a ball through a hula hoop hung from the tree, into a basket, encourage them to throw a certain distance and then practice until they beat that distance.
2. Kicking- Add soccer balls to the balls in their play yard, include cones and some sort of goal for them to aim for. Bring back kick the can!
3. Riding– Even while children are not yet walking riding toys can provide wonderful gross motor development, when the push/walk along while sitting on it. Later as their skills develop incorporate tricycles and other riding and pedaling toys.
4. Jumping-Have your child hop over small objects in the yard like sticks, lay a yardstick long ways in front of them and have them see how far they can jump, mark it and have them keep trying to jump further and further. Have them hop on one foot only, then switch to the other.
5.Pulling and Pushing– Pushing their baby doll (or mommy) on the swing, pulling a wagon, -all these activities build important arm muscles and upper body strength in your little ones that will help them grow and develop. Their are also many pushing and pulling toys you can purchase to att
6. Walking and Running– Have races with your child, take walks at the park, and walk instead of driving when you can and it is safe to do so, give them a balance beam to also build their coordination- you needn’t go buy one a 4×4 or landscape timber secured in the ground will suffice.
7. Climbing– Take every opportunity to use the stairs, assist your child in climbing ladders and little rock walls at the playground. Climbing on and off toys, chairs, etc. will also work for these exercises.
Incorporate all these activities into a simple obstacle course occasionally to mix it up and create a fun outdoor experience.
7 WAYS TO BUILD TODDLERS FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Building up little hand muscles lays the foundation for so many other skills your little one will need like writing some day. Here are Ways To Build Toddlers Fine Motor Skills that we have used with our own children with great success. Include intentional activities everyday to make it fun and give them what they need for future success.
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Play is a natural part of every toddlers day and all activities can be introduced as part of of it. Here are some activities that not only build up fine motor skills but things like hand eye coordination and are just fun for them!
Play dough– Squeezing, pulling, rolling, pinching, shaping- while it is fun that is not all this activity does for your child. Playing with play dough builds and strengthens small muscles in the hand. Whether you purchase it at the store or make your own at home this definitely deserves a place in your teaching materials.
Simple Puzzles– The skills it takes to grasp puzzle pieces and twist, turn, and fit them into place give your child’s hands a workout. 4,6, and 8 piece puzzles are a great starting point.
Beading– Lacing beads are not only fun for toddlers but provide them with an opportunity to practice grasping and threading which works on building small muscles, as well as hand eye coordination, and gives them a sense of accomplishment when they are able to do it.
Sorting– As much as children love to mix things up they also love to sort it out. Objects like pompoms can be moved from the table to a cup using pinchers or a spoon. Grasping, pinching, holding can all be done with hands to strengthen.
Building- Simple wooden blocks or more complex blocks like Duplo build not only fine motor but also creative play, hand eye coordination, and they can also be used for counting, color identification, and more. These can be left out during the day and children are naturally drawn to them.
Dressing- Buttons and zippers are fantastic practice and also teach a real world skill. Encourage your tot to attempt dressing or undressing themselves, give help before they become too frustrated. A learn to dress toy is also a great way to practice these skills.
Cutting– Purchase a pair or two of safety scissors provide your toddler with paper like construction paper, strips of newspaper, or old magazines, then teach them how to hold scissors properly and make cuts. Even at this age you can and should begin teaching them to safely hold and carry a pair of scissors.
Check out our other great tips for teaching your toddler!
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